Controllable lubricating system



June 4, 1940. A. SARDU CONTROLLABLE LUBRICATING SYSTEM Filed Sept. 25, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 AN THONY SARDU INVENTOR Y E N R m A June 4, 1940. A, SARDU 2,202,817

CONTROLLABLE LUBRICATING SYSTEM Filed Sept. 25, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 v Wm WA AN THUNY 5A RDU INVENTOR ATTORNEY June 4, 1940. A SARDU 2,202,817

CONTROLLABLE LUBRICATING SSTEM I Filed Sept. 25, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 AN THO/V Y SARDU INV EN TOR.

Isl/WWW A TTORNE Y.

Patented June 4, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to an improved lubricating system for a sewing machine which adapts the machine for high speed operation.

An object of this invention is to provide means for automatically distributing oil from an oil reservoir to a multiplicity of bearings and moving parts in predetermined numbers of drops per minute.

Another object of this invention is to provide oil storage space at the bottom portion of the sewing machine frame, from which the oil may be continually pumped back into the oil reservoir to maintain a constant circulation of oil during the period of operation of the sewing machine.

Another object of this invention is to provide in a sewing machine, a hollow frame providing a storage chamber for oil at its lower elevation, an oil reservoir at its upper elevation and an oil pump in said storage chamber whereby a con- 3 stant circulation of oil is provided during operation of the sewing machine.

Another object of this invention is to provide a valved drain pipe in the reservoir so as to prevent the oil pressure in the reservoir from exceeding a certain amount, and thereby control the rate of flow of oil through the wicks.

Another object of this invention is to provide means for automatically maintaining an oil pressure in the reservoir when the machine is in operation, and separate means for automatically draining the reservoir when the machine is not in operation, the said oil pressure being controllable and predetermined to suit the speed of the sewing machine.

This application is a continuation in part of my application for Automatic lubricating sys tem, Serial No. 176,776, filed November 2'7, 1937.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention will be hereinafter more particularly described, and the combination and arrangement of parts will be shown in the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the claim which forms part of this specification.

Reference will now be had to the drawings, wherein like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, in which:

Figure 1 is a central longitudinal cross-sectional view of a sewing machine embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view, the section being taken as on line 22 in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an oil valve.

I! Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view, the section being taken as on line 4-4 in Figure l and showing an automatic drain device in position during operation of the machine.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view, taken as on line 4-4 in Figure 1 and showing the position assumed by the drain device during a period when the machine is not in operation.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary view, taken as on line 4-4 in Figure 1 and showing a modified mechanism for automatically draining the reservoir when the machine is not in operation.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the numeral l0 indicates a sewing machine of the overseaming type, such as that used for overseaming knit goods.

The sewing machine l0 comprises a hollow box-like frame ll having two cam cylinders l2 and I3 rotatably mounted therein on shafts I4 and I5 journaled in the frame. The shaft I5 is the main driving shaft. Intermeshing gears I 6 and I1 integral with the cam cylinders are connected with the shafts l4 and i5 and cause the cam cylinders to rotate in timed relation.

The cam cylinders l2 and I3 have peripheral grooves l8 and IQ of suitable contour for engagement with cam rolls extending from a bodily movable element which actuates the upper and lower loopers (not shown).

At the forward end of the cam cylinder [3 is an eccentric 2| which serves to impart cutting movements to a cutter (not shown). At the forward end of the cam cylinder I2 is an eccentric 20 which serves to impart reciprocatory movements to thread take-up (not shown).

Sewing machines of the type described operate at high speeds and the matter of proper lubrication of the various bearing surfaces is of much practical importance in their operation.

In accordance with the present invention, proper lubrication is eifected by means including an oil reservoir 22 having a multiplicity of outlets 23 to 29 inclusive, discharging oil through tubes 30 secured therein and leading to bearings or moving parts to be lubricated.

It is to be noted that the shafts l4 and [5 have small contact areas or bearing surfaces in comparison with the peripheral grooves l8 and I9 in the cam cylinders I2 and I3 and that the oil must be supplied in varied numbers of drops to properly lubricate these varying contact areas.

In lubricating the operating parts of a sewing machine, the parts must be supplied with an adequate quantity of oil to avoid overheating and excessive wear of the bearing surfaces, but only sufficient to efliciently lubricate the moving parts without any excess oil which might drop on the fabric passing through the machine as oil is ruinous in contact with textiles.

I provide a tube 30 fixed in each outlet. Each tube has a wick extending therethrough with the upper end of the wick immersed in oil in the reservoir 22. The lower ends of the wicks terminate short of, or out of contact with, the parts to be lubricated. Capillary action is usually relied upon to cause the oil to flow through the wicking from the reservoir to the moving parts. It is to be noted that the lubricant may have to be conducted from a remote source of supply to the moving parts to be lubricated.

I have found that it is necessary to assure a positive and continuous supply of oil to the moving parts. By providing an oil pump 3| installed in an oil storage chamber at the lower elevation of the frame H, I am able to provide a dependable oil circulation which functions as long as the sewing machine is in operation.

By inserting wicks made of materials having different capillary action in the respective tubes I supply oil in varied numbers of drops to suit the varying contact areas. A wick made of cotton strands has a high capillary conductivity of lubricant and a wick made of wool strands has a low capillary conductivity of lubricant. I have accordingly placed wool wicks 32 in the tubes 23, 24, 25 and 29 and cotton wicks 33 in the tubes 26, 2! and 28.

I have found that by sealing the reservoir and by maintaining a predetermined oil pressure in the reservoir that I control the rate of flow of oil through the wicks, that is, when I increase the oil pressure in the reservoir the oil flows more readily through the wicks to the moving parts. For the purpose of preventing the oil pressure from exceeding a certain amount, I employ a vertically reciprocable spring-pressed oil valve 34 secured in a drain pipe 35 leading from the reservoir 22 to the oil storage chamber 36.

Figure 3 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of an oil valve assembly 34 secured in the upper portion of the drain pipe 35. The valve assembly 34 comprises a valve body 31 having a valve 38 seated in a conical valve seat at the lower end of said body. The valve 38 is kept against the seat by an open coil spring 39 interposed between a nut 40 at the upper end of the valve and the body 31. Apertures 4| in the valve body or valve casing communicate with the valve head through a central hole 42 in the body 31. The pump 3| raises oil through an inlet pipe 44 and discharges through a pipe 45.

By sealing the reservoir with a strip of flexible and compressible gasket material 43 and by regulating the tension of the spring 39, I am able to control the pressure in the reservoir, that is, I can prevent the pressure in the reservoir from exceeding a certain amount and thus regulate the rate of flow of oil through the wicks.

The top cover 46 for the reservoir 22 and the bottom plate 41 for the oil storage chamber 36 may be fastened oil tight in any suitable manner so as to prevent oil leakage from the machine In, such as by the gaskets 43 and 63.

As shown in Figures 4 and 5, I have provided a tapering drain valve 50 mounted on a lever 5| for vertical movement to and from a tapering valve-seat 52 in the upper portion of the frame When the machine is in operation, the pressure of the outflowing oil against a dish-shaped end 53 of the lever 5| causes the valve 50, which is of very light weight, to be raised against the valve-seat 52 and forms a tight joint and prevents the oil in the reservoir 22 from draining into the oil storage chamber 36. When the machine is not in operation, the flow of' oil under pressure against the dish-shaped end 53 ceases and the weight of the valve 50 causes the valve to move down away from the valve-seat 52, thus providing a passage around the valve through which the oil in the reservoir automatically drains into the oil storage chamber 36. It is to be noted that the leverage on opposite sides of the fulcrum may be varied so as to be longer on the valve side.

As shown in Figure 6, I have provided a modified mechanism for automatically draining the oil reservoir 22. Figure 6 shows the outflow pipe 45 having a rubber container 55 secured thereto. The container 55 has a hollow flexible rib portion 56 adapted for vertical movements. The bottom of the container 55 has a small aperture 51 through which the oil from the pipe 45 can flow out into the reservoir 22. Mounted below the aperture 51 is a lever 58 having a valve 59 connected thereto at one end, similar to the valve 50. The other ends of the lever 58 has a disk 60 on which the container 55 rests. A minute aperture 6| has been provided in the disk 60 sufficient for feeding all the wicks.

When the machine is in operation, the pressure of the oil in the flexible container 55 will cause the container to expand vertically and to down press the disk end of the lever 58 and to raise the drainage valve 59. In this operation position, the valve 59 remains closed while permiting suilicicnt oil flow through the minute aperture 6| for feeding the wicks.

It will thus be seen that there has been provided a controllable lubricating system whereby the pressure in the reservoir 22 may be predetermined so as to feed the desired number of drops through the wicks, depending on the speed of the machine, and that automatic means has been provided whereby the oil drains from the reservoir into the oil storage chamber when the machine is not in operation.

In accordance with the patent statutes I have described and illustrated the preferred embodimentof my invention, but it will be understood that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claim.

I claim:

In an automatic lubricating system for a machine of the class described, comprising a reservoir at an upper elevation, an oil storage chamher at a lower elevation, a drain passage from said reservoir to said storage chamber and comprising a valve-seat, a drain valve pivotally supported at one end of a lever, the other end of said lever being dish-shaped, an oil supply pipe having its open end position over said dishshaped end, means for pumping oil from said storage chamber and discharging said oil into said dish, said drain valve being thereby controllable by said oil pressure to close said drain passage, said drain valve being controllable by the weight thereof to open said drain passage when said pumping means is not in operation.

ANTHONY SARDU. 

